On December 29, 1999, 19-year-old Melvin Avent was shot and killed at the intersection of Luper and Mullins streets in Rocky Mount, NC. Melvin, who was African American, was on the phone with his brother when he was chased and shot. His brother heard Melvin say, "you don't have to do that to me" before the fatal shots were fired.
Despite the tragic circumstances, Melvin Avent's case remains unsolved.
The Rocky Mount Police Department has faced criticism for the lack of progress in solving this and other cold cases. In 2019, a cold case homicide task force was created to review unsolved murders, but the process has been slow and methodical. Currently, only one full-time investigator and one part-time retiree are dedicated to solving these cases.
The Avent family continues to seek justice for Melvin, expressing frustration over the lack of resources and progress in the investigation. Andre Avent, Melvin's brother, has publicly voiced his concerns, stating that the killer is still walking free while his brother's case remains unresolved.
The Rocky Mount Police Department has offered rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect responsible for Melvin's death, but no arrests have been made to date. The case is one of many unsolved murders in Rocky Mount, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in bringing closure to the families of victims.
